brand-name

1 of 2

adjective

ˈbran(d)-ˈnām 

1

: of or relating to a brand name

brand-name products

2

: having a well-known and usually highly regarded or marketable name

brand-name authors

the … party lacks brand-name guests or good food

—Ryan Lizza

brand name

2 of 2

noun

1

: an arbitrarily adopted name that is given by a manufacturer or merchant to an article or service to distinguish it as produced or sold by that manufacturer or merchant and that may be used and protected as a trademark

2

: one having a well-known and usually highly regarded or marketable name

Examples of brand-name in a Sentence

Noun

The drug is sold under several brand names.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The jokes — good, bad and cheap — come non-stop in then show’s 90 minutes, and are filled and sometimes pummeled with pop culture and brand-name references, puns, anachronistic humor, and naughty bits. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

For example, if a brand-name eye drop or inhaler isn’t available in generic form, doctors can often prescribe a different medication in the same class that works just as well but costs far less. —Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026

Noun

Narcan is a brand name of naloxone nasal spray. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

On that front, Eli Lilly’s pill, sold under the brand name Foundayo, is especially notable. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brand-name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Legal Definition

brand name

noun

: trade name